When did you first discover you were an adult? Was it the first time you were addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am"? Was it when you and your mate brought your newborn home from the hospital? Was it when you no longer relied on your parents for at least part of your livelihood?

What are some of the signs of being an adult? Most of us think of the physical signs, but there are other signs as well—moving into a business position you have long desired, taking on the management of a household, sharing deep thoughts with one's spouse, taking a strong interest in civic affairs. The list could go on and on. Clearly, adulthood is different from childhood and youth.

Again, what does it mean to be an adult? We attach unusual names to lifestyles among adults:

YUPPIES—young, urban professionals

SIPPIES—senior, independent professionals

YUMMIES—young, upwardly mobile ministers

WOOPIES—well-off older people

DUMPIES—destitute, unprepared middle-age people

DINKS—dual income, no kids

One indication of the tawdry nature of adulthood in our day is TV and motion picture parental guidelines. For instance, TVPG means that the film or program may contain some material parents would find unsuitable for young children. It may contain occasional coarse language, limited violence, and some suggestive sexual dialogue.

Even stronger is the designation TVM or R rating. These programs and films are specifically targeted to adults and are unsuited for children under 17. These shows have "mature" themes, profane language, and graphic violence.

In our society the word adult is frequently associated with pornography, as in "adult situations" and "adult videos." Here the word adult has a double meaning. It acts as a warning to those who guard the entertainment choices of children and youth. It also advertises commercial sleaze to those who want provocative depictions of the human condition. Those who provide such programs know how to appeal to those who want explicit sex and violence. But the meaning of sex and violence goes much deeper. When these films are associated with the word adult, they convey to children and youth that these are appropriate subject matter for adults but not for them. That is, only (mature) adults can watch such material. Kids pick up on the signals. They begin to associate "adult" language with situational exploration as a part of adult behavior. That is, it is something they can look forward to, something that defines expected adult behavior.

What then is the Christian response? Followers of Jesus must give their children and youth a better definition of adulthood. The word adult must be cleansed of its vulgarity. Mature should reflect a sense of responsibility, of sound judgment, of caring purpose. Only when children and youth can look forward to moral living in adulthood can we again associate adulthood with maturity.

AdultApplication: When did you first see yourself as an adult? If mature behavior defines being an adult, what characteristics and life situations do you see in yourself or your class members that would indicate that you or they are adults? If it were your responsibility, or your class's, to model adult behavior for children and youth in your church, what behaviors would you like to change? Is such modeling your responsibility? Is it ultimately the responsibility of all Christian adults?